What do you think of Robles leading off and Trea batting third? I think I like it. It makes the top four guys pretty impressive.

Sounds good to me, although as long as as the better hitters are at the top I'm not sure if the exact order matters. I'm not a fan of having a lead off type guy batting ninth.

That's a well-established AL strategy, for the innings when you hve 9-1-2 coming up. It's considered a way to make the lineup flow and keep the offense going.

Generally I'd put the best hitters at the top, but in Robles' case he isn't hitting that great so having him in the ninth spot makes sense, he's hidden at the bottom of the order where he'll get the fewest number of plate appearances and in case he does get on he's got speed to get around the bases when the stronger hitters come up.

Manny talking about hitting Robles leadoff against LHP. He hit .404 against them last year.

Who hits leadoff against RHP? Other than Trea (you dont want him hitting leadfoff), no one makes sense, and it could be an issue...hope that we dont look back and view this as something Rizzy did not address in the offseason.

Zuckerman's article this morning is on this topic, how to maximize Turner's value by not having him lead off. I'd put down cash that there will be a DH this year so that there will more RBI chances for the lead off batter.

First exhib game is this Sunday. Wouldnt they have given the DH the green light by now?

Btw my bad on the earlier post this morning -- Robles OBP (not BA) LY against LHP was .404......serves me right for posting that early without any coffee.

As of now there is no DH, but there are rumors that it could change any time before the season starts. I think that the owners really want the expanded playoffs and the DH will be part of the deal.

Would hate to see Schwarber hit leadoff against RHP.